TCOOP Frequently Asked Questions

What is TCOOP?

TCOOP is the Turbo Championship of Online Poker, a faster cousin of WCOOP (World Champion of Online Poker), catering to MTT players who enjoy fast-paced tournament play.  TCOOP fits nicely in the annual tournament schedule between WCOOP (in September) and SCOOP (in May).

When is TCOOP?

The inaugural TCOOP will run from January 19-29, 2012.

How many events will there be in TCOOP 2012?

There are 50 events.

How much will TCOOP events cost to play?

TCOOP buy-ins range from $5.50 to $2,100.

Will there be Second Chance Events for TCOOP?

No.

Why Turbo?

Over the years, we have seen the Turbo format grow in popularity as players wish to get through an individual event more quickly. Quite a large number of players have suggested that we run this type of series, and it fits in nicely under the *COOP umbrella.

TCOOP events will be very similar to SCOOP and WCOOP events in that they will have a great structure (deep stacks, slow level increases), with the primary difference being that the length of the rounds is shorter (much shorter in some cases) than they would in a SCOOP or WCOOP event. For a standard TCOOP tournament, for example, each level is five minutes long, whereas in a standard WCOOP tournament, each level is 20 minutes long. Turbo tournaments take much less time to play than tournaments which use longer level lengths. The events of the 2012 TCOOP will finish much more quickly than most WCOOP or SCOOP events, while still having structures which provide for excellent poker.

What does the winner of a TCOOP event receive?

The prize is two-fold. For starters, each event has a minimum guaranteed prize pool.  On top of the cash, players will be competing for a special TCOOP Champion exclusive prize. We have not yet finalized the TCOOP Champion prize, but will do so soon, and post details here.

There will also be a “Player of the Series” leader board which will award 2012 SCOOP tickets to the top finishers.

How do I enter the Turbo Championship of Online Poker?

Anyone with a PokerStars.com, PokerStars.ee, PokerStars.be, or PokerStars.dk account that’s valid for real money play can enter.  If you don’t yet have an account, it’s easy to download the free poker software and set one up.  You can buy in directly, win a satellite for as little as $1 or even get in the game through Frequent Player Points satellites.

What can I use to buy in?

You can buy directly into the events themselves with cash, tickets, or T$.  Tickets to enter may be purchased in the VIP Store, or may be won in certain satellites which will be marked as awarding tickets. Satellites can be entered using cash and T$, and some accept FPPs.  Some tournaments and satellites can be entered using Steps tickets.

Can I unregister from an event for which I've won a seat?

Yes. If you win a seat to a TCOOP event in a satellite and then unregister from it, your account will be credited with T$ equal to the buy-in + fee of that event.

Unregistration will be available from the tournament lobby up until two minutes before the start of each event.

Note that this registration option applies to event seats won via satellite. Event tickets are not transferrable. Event tickets awarded via promotional tournaments must be used in that event or forfeited, as they have no value outside of the tournament to which they grant admission.

If you have already been awarded a ticket for a particular event, please do not play more promotional events which award the same ticket, since if you win the additional ticket will have no value. If you have won a promotional ticket for an event and are registered for that event, you may continue to play cash or FPP satellites to that same event, and if you win you will be awarded T$ for the value of the seat.

What can I do with T$?

T$ can be used to register into any PokerStars online tournament.  VIPs can also sometimes use T$ to buy directly into live events.  See the About Tournaments page to find out more.  To check your T$ balance at any time, visit the Cashier window in the PokerStars lobby.

Will there be any special tournaments or deals for VIPs?

Absolutely! We will hold multiple satellites throughout the course of qualifying which are open exclusively to PokerStars VIPs. These special events may include added seats or seats at a higher than normal ratio, in either case giving our VIPs many great opportunities to qualify.

Can we make deals at the final table?

For the TCOOP events themselves, yes, and PokerStars staff will be there to facilitate them.  Please note that any deal will be required to leave a portion of the prize pool out of the deal to be awarded to the winner.  The minimum amount to be left aside will be specified in the tournament lobby. For more details about deals, please see our poker Tournament Rules.

Can we make deals at the final table of TCOOP satellites?

No. The intent of the satellites it to produce seats into the TCOOP and not just distribute T$ to people, therefore we are prohibiting final table deals during TCOOP satellites.

What if I win multiple seats into the same event?

For subsequent seats after the first one you win, your account will be credited with T$ equal to the buy-in & fee of the target event.

What rules govern play in the Turbo Championship of Online Poker?

The standard PokerStars Tournament Rules apply.

What is meant by [1R1A] in the title of some of the events?

In such a tournament, players may take 1 rebuy during the rebuy period, and 1 add-on at the end of the rebuy period. Similarly, in a tournament marked [2R1A], players may take a maximum of 2 rebuys during the rebuy period, and 1 add-on at the end of the rebuy period. In such tournaments, the stacks bought with rebuys and add-ons will be equivalent to the starting stack.

What is meant by [Ante Up] in the title of a TCOOP event?

Ante Up is a tournament format where the blinds stay the same while the antes increase with every level. The antes are in place from the first level.

What is meant by [2X Chance] in the title of a TCOOP event?

2X Chance tournaments allow players to rebuy, once, if they have lost all of their chips. No additional rebuys or add-ons are allowed. The rebuy is allowed only during the rebuy period as specified in the lobby.

What is meant by [Big Antes] in the title of a TCOOP event?

Big Antes is a tournament format with antes larger than in a normal NL tournament structure.

What is meant by [2x-Turbo] or [3x-Turbo] in the title of a TCOOP event?

A 2x-Turbo is a special kind of turbo rebuy tournament in which the levels increase at turbo speed, but the rebuy time is twice as long as it would be in a normal turbo rebuy. Similarly, a 3x-Turbo has three times the normal amount of rebuy time. The available chips - including the starting stack, rebuy, and add-on - are tailored to each event. Be sure to click the 'Tournament Info' button for detailed structure information.

Are there any 2-Day events in TCOOP?

No.